Lake Elsinore

About the Community of Lake Elsinore

Visitors to Lake Elsinore will discover a perfect climate, blue sky, clean air, world-famous thermal winds for aerial sports and, our crowning jewel, a sparkling 3,300 acre recreational lake for exciting water sports. All of this is set against the spectacular Ortega Mountains and Cleveland National Forest, providing opportunities for hiking, biking, bird-watching or just plain relaxing in the beauty that abounds in this outdoor recreation destination.

Extreme sports such as skydiving, hang-gliding and mountain biking are an everyday occurrence in Lake Elsinore. The lake beckons visitors and residents to its shores to enjoy boating, wakeboarding, fishing, water skiing, windsurfing, sunbathing, picnicking or playing on the beach. Beautiful, tree-shaded campgrounds and RV resorts surround the lake for overnight outdoor enthusiasts.

If shopping is your game, we have that, too! The Lake Elsinore Outlets provides nearly 100 stores offering top brand-name merchandise at extraordinary values. Perhaps you would prefer to stroll the historic downtown district and search for rare finds in the numerous antique shops or stop and have a bite to eat at one of the many fine restaurants. Lake Elsinore’s over 100-year-old, historically refurbished downtown district, with its antique shops, museum, cozy restaurants and quaint shops framed with colorful window canopies and vintage street lamps, reflects the charm reminiscent of the 1920s.

For family fun, visit Diamond Stadium, home of the Lake Elsinore Storm Professional Baseball team, an affiliate of the San Diego Padres, and take in a game.

Background Information

Spaniards call the lake Laguna Grande; later part of the Mexican land grant, Rancho La Laguna. The 12,832 acre California Rancho is acquired and setttled by Don Agustin Machado in 1858. The Machado’s adobe house becomes part of the historic Butterfield stage route, as a relay station for mail and passengers, and still stands today near Grand Avenue. In 1883, the Machado Rancho is sold to City founder Franklin Heald for $24,000, realizing a dream that will endure and evolve as the future City of Lake Elsinore. City founders include Franklin Heald, Donald Graham, William Collier and Margaret Collier Graham (sister to William and wife to Donald). Margaret picks the name “Elsinore” because she likes the sound, a name taken from Shakespeare’s Hamlet. It is the first ‘brand’ of three the City will later adopt.

In 1883, the Machado Rancho is sold to City founder Franklin Heald for $24,000, realizing a dream that will endure and evolve as the future City of Lake Elsinore. City founders include Franklin Heald, Donald Graham, William Collier and Margaret Collier Graham (sister to William and wife to Donald). Margaret picks the name “Elsinore” because she likes the sound, a name taken from Shakespeare’s Hamlet. It is the first ‘brand’ of three the City will later adopt.

The 1920s establish Elsinore as a playground for the rich and glamorous. The Valley hosts Olympic teams for training and high speed boat racing. By popular vote, in 1972 citizens approve a new name: the City of Lake Elsinore. This name change is favored as a way to promote the City as a lake-oriented destination area. The state of California Parks & Recreation Department owns the lake and a campground recreation area until 1993, when the lake assets and water rights are turned over to the City and EVMWD.

Diamond Stadium

Professional baseball comes to town with the opening of the Lake Elsinore Diamond in 1994, home of the Lake Elsinore Storm; affiliate of the Anaheim Angels and later, with the San Diego Padres. The Diamond is a state-of-the-art facility that is continually voted one of the finest ballparks in all of the Minor Leagues. The Diamond can accommodate 8,000+ fans for baseball with 6,066 fixed seats, 11 luxury suites, and a grass berm down the right field line. With additional on-field seating, the stadium can be transformed into a concert or boxing venue with a total seating capacity of 14,000.

Lake Elsinore

Lake Elsinore is the largest natural freshwater lake in Southern California and is set against the Ortega Mountains. La Laguna Resort and Boat Launch offers many lake activities: a boat launch, wading area and fishing area, and wave runner rentals are all available within walking distance from the campsites. Seaport Launch, located on Lakeshore Drive offers the same amenities just 2 miles from La Laguna.

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About the Community of Lake Elsinore Visitors to Lake Elsinore will discover a perfect climate, blue sky, clean air, world-famous thermal winds for aerial sports and, our crowning jewel, a sparkling 3,300 acre recreational lake for exciting water sports. All of this is set against the spectacular Ortega Mountains and Cleveland National Forest, providing opportunities […]

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